what is choi kwang do
Choi Kwang-Do is one of the youngest martial arts in the world. Started 35 years ago, it is a living, growing testimony to how modern science can work effectively alongside traditional values to create a martial art relevant to the needs of 21st century living. Named after its founder, Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi, CKD was inaugurated on his 45th birthday in March 1987. Today, from his base in Atlanta in the US, Grandmaster Choi continues to evolve and develop the techniques, which have given CKD a fast-growing, worldwide reputation as a revolutionary and progressive martial art. Its unique system is based on using the body’s natural movements, with biomechanical techniques making the most of body weight and follow-through to achieve the required impact. Warming-up is a crucial part of the training routine, with a long, yoga-based stretch followed by a cardio-vascular workout designed to allow students to develop at their own pace and to avoid injury. It was severe and repeated injuries which led Kwang Choi to adopt this careful physiological approach in creating CKD. A student of martial arts since the age of 12 – first in Kwon Bup (Korean Karate) and then in Tae Kwon Do – Kwang Choi was the youngest Master instructor in Asia by the age of 25 and part of an elite six-man demonstration team. By the age of 30 he was in a wheelchair. Traditional martial arts techniques, which involve locking-out elbows and knees, caused repetitive strain injuries to his joints. Each time he would spend up to a month in a wheelchair, while fluid was removed from severely swollen joints. A trip to the US to seek medical help confirmed that surgery would make no difference; his injuries were due to the stylised nature of his traditional martial art. Kwang Choi started to examine his traditional training techniques more closely. He questioned the principle of partner stretching, which meant that students were pushed further than their natural limits; he questioned the necessity of competition, where winning becomes more important than personal development; and he questioned techniques, which could cause such serious joint damage. Over a period of more than ten years he developed a complete series of practical techniques drawing on modern scientific principles and using natural forward motion and follow-through, with no joint lockout. With competition ruled out, he created a non-aggressive classroom environment. The combination of classroom etiquette and natural techniques has given CKD the lowest injury rate in martial arts. It also means that students can train together irrespective of age, gender or ability. CKD remains true to its Korean roots and derives many of its customs and terminology from the traditional Korean arts and from oriental philosophers. Bowing, showing respect to instructors and fellow students, patience, self-discipline and courtesy are familiar to many martial arts. And CKD is based on the traditional philosophy, which emphasises personal and social development as paramount. Kwang Choi’s military training in the Korean army has also made its mark. CKD’s principles (aims to achieve) mirror the Idea of Musado, or “way of the warrior spirit” which shaped the strong principles driving the ancient Hwarang Do warriors. It was a similar code of chivalry to the one embraced by England’s knights of the round table. Today’s students restate their personal pledge, and the principles of CKD, at the start of each class. It is a reminder that martial arts are a noble study, no matter whether thousands of years old
